The Best Laces for Work Shoes and Low Boots

Work shoes and boots have a hard life. They are under tension all day, rub against metal eyelets and hooks and get wet, dirty and dry again. The lace is often the first part to give out. In this guide you will learn which are the best laces for work shoes and low boots, which material handles moisture best and which length you need.

In short

• A round cord of 5 mm is the best choice for most work shoes, safety shoes and low boots.
• A round cord wears evenly against metal eyelets and slides smoothly around hooks.
• Polyester absorbs little water and dries quickly. Cotton stays wet for a long time.
• Low work shoes usually need 120 cm, mid-height ones 140 cm and boots with hooks 160 cm.
• Tie a double knot at work and replace a lace as soon as it frays.

The best laces for work shoes at a glance

For most work shoes, safety shoes and low boots, a round cord of 5 mm is the best choice. This overview shows why.

Feature	What to look for	Why
Shape	Round, braided cord	Slides smoothly through eyelets and around hooks and wears little
Thickness	5 mm	Strong enough for heavy use and fits the eyelets of most work shoes
Material	Synthetic, such as polyester	Absorbs little water and dries quickly
Length	Depends on the number of eyelets and hooks	Too short will not close properly, too long is a trip hazard

Why a round cord lasts longest

A round lace is braided from a large number of yarns. When the cord rubs against a metal eyelet, the wear is spread over the entire surface. A flat band wears faster at the edges, especially when it twists in the eyelet. That is why most work shoes and boots come with round laces as standard.

A round cord also slides easily through the eyelets. You can tighten the shoe evenly from bottom to top, even while wearing gloves. For everyday work, choose basic round laces of 5 mm. If you work outdoors a lot, the outdoor laces of 5 mm are made for rough use.

Which lace works best with hooks?

A round cord works best with hooks. Many work shoes and boots have eyelets at the bottom and open hooks at the top. The hooks make lacing up faster, but they do ask something of the lace. A round cord slides smoothly around a hook and stays securely behind it. A flat lace twists in a hook and is more likely to catch or slip out.

When lacing the hooks, lay the lace over the hook from above and towards the inside. When you pull the lace, it is drawn deeper into the hook by itself. Check the hooks for sharp edges now and then. A damaged hook will cut through any lace, however strong.

Polyester or cotton: what does moisture do?

At work, shoes get wet from rain, mud or a wet floor. The material of the lace then makes a difference.

• Cotton absorbs water, stays wet for a long time and gets heavier. A wet cotton lace wears faster and can start to smell.
• Polyester absorbs little water, dries quickly and keeps its colour. That makes it last longer in wet conditions.

If you often work in the rain or on wet ground, choose a synthetic lace. Cotton is better suited to shoes that are mainly worn indoors or in dry conditions.

Being seen in the dark

If you work along the road, on a building site or early in the morning, anything that reflects light helps. Reflective round laces light up in the beam of headlights or a torch. They do not replace safety clothing, but they do make your feet more visible.

Which length do you need?

With work shoes and boots, the height of the shaft mainly determines the length, not just the number of eyelets. Hooks also use up length, because the lace wraps around each one. Use this table as a starting point.

Shoe	Most logical	Alternative
Low work shoes and safety shoes	120 cm	140 cm for wide shoes, large sizes or a double knot
Mid-height work and safety shoes, with 7 to 8 pairs of eyelets	140 cm	160 cm when laced loosely
Low boots	140 cm	120 cm if you lace tightly
Boots with hooks or laced loosely	160 cm	180 cm only for very high shafts

If in doubt, count the eyelets and hooks on one side and work out your length in our shoelace length guide. Veter.nl carries lengths from 60 to 180 cm. When in doubt, choose the longer length. A slightly long lace can be double knotted, a short lace will not close your shoe properly.

Tying safely at work

A loose lace on a work floor, scaffold or staircase is a trip hazard. So tie a double knot if you move around a lot. If smooth laces loosen after a few hours, choose waxed laces or textured laces. They hold the knot better. Do not leave long ends dangling either. Replace a lace as soon as it frays at the eyelets or hooks. That is where it will break, usually at the worst possible moment.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use flat laces in work shoes?

In sneaker-style work shoes with regular eyelets, that works fine. If your shoe has hooks or heavily used metal eyelets, a round cord will last longer.

How thick should a lace for work shoes be?

A round cord of 5 mm suits most work shoes and boots. If in doubt, push the aglet through the smallest eyelet. If it goes through without forcing, the lace fits.

How often should I replace the laces in my work shoes?

There is no fixed schedule. Regularly check the spots where the lace runs through the eyelets and around the hooks. If you see fraying or thin spots, replace it.

Which length did my boots originally come with?

Measure the old lace from aglet to aglet. If you end up between two lengths, choose the longer one.

Looking for a lace that can handle the job? Browse all the strong cords under round laces or search by shoe type under work shoes.